Can a back brace cause a hernia?

[Techlofer]

I've had a back problem for a long time now, and I've had to wear a back brace all this time, simple kind that's made of cloth and elastic and has a harder support at the back, and two flaps to tighten the whole thing.

I've put on a lot of weight, but I can't do very strenuous exercises, so I generally walk in the evening, and use the gym cycle at home for about 15 minutes. Since the past month, I've had a strange sensation at the pit of the stomach, just where the stomach ends, and also in the scrotum region (outer sides of the testis). It causes a very slight amount of pain, but I suspect it could be a hernia. Also, when I have been on the cycle for a few minutes, this strange feeling comes up, and there is also the pins and needles kind of feeling for a few moments, which goes away when I get down from the cycle and walk about a bit. If I lie down the strange feeling goes away, its not like it keeps paining the whole day long.

My question is, I still wear the back brace because it gives a lot of comfort to the back. Is it possible that wearing a brace can cause, or aggravate a hernia?

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[iliastolos]

Techlofer,
Why do you still use the brace? What kind of back problem do you have and who told you to put a brace on?
ilias

[Techlofer]

Its a disc prolapse. The doctor himself told me to wear the brace, and it is pretty effective, in that it restricts movement and so stops the back from bending too much and causing pain. However, I have also added weight, especially in the abdomen area, so I was wondering if a large belly + the inside push caused by the brace could lead to a hernia?

[iliastolos]

Techlofer,
I suppose you're not wearing a hernia belt then. Please clarify how many hours per day you have this belt on and if you're wearing it during cycling. Pins and needles is a neural tissue symptom, meaning that a nerve is irritated. It could be due to the belt, if you're wearing it during cycling.
ilias

[physiobob]

I would suggest you need a physical assessment which is beyond the scope of this forum

[Techlofer]

Its a back brace, with the usual straps that go around the waist, not a hernia brace with straps that go down and around the legs and come up. I wear the back brace about four hours or so, mainly when I go out, or walk or use the cycle. Its this thing that worried me, that I am already overweight, meaning there would be the pressure of the larger belly, and then the brace would crunch everything inside, so what if the pressure was going down?

Actually since the past few days, I've started doing some physiotherapy on my own by looking up the net, simple exercises done by lying down which are meant to strengthen the abdominal area and also reduce the stomach fat. The thing is, the problem seems to have become somewhat better. Yesterday, I didn't have a single instance of any strange feeling or slight pain around the groin. Maybe if I am careful, I won't need to undergo surgery...